A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Brisbane for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Athens or Brisbane?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Brisbane. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Athens

Athens is a energetic, historic, and ancient city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a diverse, cultural, and active coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Athens and Brisbane: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Brisbane?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Athens than Brisbane. While Brisbane is larger than Athens, Athens has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Athens is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Brisbane attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping. Athens is more touristy than Brisbane and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also well known for The Acropolis. Brisbane is famous for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Brisbane?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Brisbane and Athens. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Brisbane?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Athens has many famous sights for visitors. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Brisbane can be an interesting and educational experience. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

Is the Food Better in Athens or Brisbane? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Athens has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Athens or Brisbane Better for Nightlife?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife.

Athens has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Brisbane has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Is Athens or Brisbane Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Athens or Brisbane Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is great for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Brisbane for it's beautiful beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Brisbane Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Athens offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or Brisbane Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a good destination for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Brisbane offers some nice hiking trails. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Brisbane?

Brisbane is great for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Brisbane. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Athens is a great destination for shopping. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Athens or Brisbane Better for Families?

Both Athens and Brisbane are high quality family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Athens. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Brisbane is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Is Athens or Brisbane Better for Couples?

Athens and Brisbane both nice destinations for a couple.

Athens is a good city for couples to visit. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Athens or Brisbane Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Is Athens or Brisbane Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Brisbane are high quality places to visit.

Many students visit Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Brisbane is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Is Athens or Brisbane Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Athens is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its public transit.

The public transit in Athens can get you to most places easily. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Brisbane has a few public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Athens or Brisbane a more walkable city?

Athens and Brisbane are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Athens is a very walkable destination. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

Brisbane is very walkable. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Athens Worth Visiting? and Is Brisbane Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brisbane or Athens?

How long in Athens or Brisbane?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Athens and Brisbane. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than in Brisbane. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-3 days is enough time in Brisbane.

Families should spend more time in Athens than Brisbane. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Athens, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Athens than Brisbane. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Athens that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Brisbane if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Athens.

One day in Athens or Brisbane?

Athens is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Brisbane. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Brisbane?

Athens is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Brisbane is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or Brisbane?

Athens is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Athens, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brisbane. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or Brisbane?

Athens is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Athens has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse destination of Brisbane. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Brisbane, we can see that Athens is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Athens is in Europe and Brisbane is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Brisbane Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Athens or Brisbane?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Brisbane, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Athens or Brisbane?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Athens has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Athens or Brisbane in the Summer?

Both Brisbane and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Brisbane in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Athens is around the same temperature as Brisbane in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Brisbane fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Brisbane during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Brisbanein January. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Brisbane in the Autumn?

Both Brisbane and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Athens in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Athens is cooler than Brisbane. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Brisbane averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brisbanein April. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Brisbanein April. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Brisbane in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Brisbane. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Athens is generally cooler than Brisbanein July. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Brisbanein July. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Brisbane in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Brisbane. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.

Athens is cooler than Brisbane in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Brisbane fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein October. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Brisbanein October. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brisbane and Athens